My First Real Sentence

I Love Dad(dy)!


Enough said....

Post Christmas- The Fun Times Keep Rolling

We kicked off the morning with a quick loop around the first floor. I just love larger than life stuffed animals!



Speaking of larger than me items, check out this super cool easel that I received. I couldn't imagine a gift more in tune with my inner artistic self. Just look at the way I command that red marker over the paper. I outstretch naturally and end up with a masterpiece before my very eyes. True talent!

And we're back to my super awesome fine motor skills. Look at the way I can put the top back on the marker. Truth be told that is a large part of the time spent on 'art' these days. Uncapping and recapping markers seems to be my thing these days.

Beauty in motion!

Oh, boy this is when the morning really got fun. Daddy got all technical and scientific on Mommy over a gingerbread house when all she wanted to do was, direct quote, 'wing it'. What's Switzerland supposed to do in a situation like this?

Well, I couldn't stay impartial for long. Daddy was so gosh darned serious over frosting that I had to make silly faces to distract him!

It worked, he loosened up and prepared to blame Mommy for all housing shortcomings that were no doubt coming our way.

Finally the house was contructed and needed a helping hand from artsy-fartsy Samantha. Look, look- Samantha to the rescue. Looks better already!

Did I really just get photo busted eating the frosting glue? This is worse than the redlight cameras in intersections- hope there's no fine for making a house structurally unsafe.....

No time for posing, Daddy. I've got a work in progress!

This here glue is super sweet and tasty!

I think you may have seen the super long seven minute video of the leaning tower of gingerbread, so we'll skip ahead to the aftermath. Cleaning up the frosting glue. I volunteer! Gotta learn me some values!

Yeppers. Still learning those values! Can you see the red marker spots from the earlier art projects. Thank goodness for washable ink.

Turns out Daddy snuck in some art time of his own...

After a super eventful day it was time for bed. Before bed comes story time- my favorite one these days is the colors one. Warning, for those who think Daddy is super serious all the time, he's not! Here he is being all funny.

And more funny goings on!

Really. Between Mommy and Daddy, it's a wonder I'm ever serious!

Thankfully, I wouldn't take my family life any other way!

See, speak no 'evil'.
See no 'evil'.
Really, this time....
Yikes, bed time came out of nowhere. Gotta take my sippy cup for a long walk before settling down for sleep sleep.

Samantha Eats "Glue"

This is a long one, but pretty much sums up my happy existence. Enjoy!

Merry Christmas!

Boy, do I know how to kick off a great Christmas or what? First, you wake the elderly up around 6am (letting them sleep in is a great way to make sure they can keep their stamina while sorting through all the loot!). Then, I quickly put on the super cute outfit that Daddy picked up while on a business trip this fall. It has presents on the front with real bows. Super cute! Finally, while Daddy is whipping up a great batch of whole wheat french toast with a side of turkey bacon, play some good ol' fashion chicken dance. This has got to be the greatest toy since sliced bread!

Once bellies were sufficiently stuffed, it was time for the big dig into presents galore. I started my dancing on my new alphabet and numbers mat. Gotta loosen up the joints before hunkering down with gusto.

Great-Grandma Pat's stuffed dog was my first present and it's been my constant companion ever since!

This gift giving and receiving concept is the greatest thing ever!

This doggie is bigger than I am!

And makes the greatest chair for opening the rest of the gifts. Onward!

And here is where the morning came to a screaching halt. After opening the puppy dog, markers and crayons we took an extended break of a few hours so I could squeeze art into the day. Thank goodness it was a family affair or I would have offended a great number of extremely thoughtful people.

Okay, back from hiatus. Onto personalized backpack time!

And Samantha sized musical instruments!

The holiday wasn't all about me, so I wanted to include a picture of Daddy with the present I gave him- a garden gnome! You see, Daddy's new hobby is gardening so he's been planning our attack on the back corner of our yard. Mommy later surprised us with a joint gift- Samantha's first gardening set complete with a Samantha sized wheelbarrow and gardening tools. I'm sensing lots of great bonding moments ahead this spring.

Here I am with the Little People airplane. Awesome!

And, we took another break so I could check out the house. I like to take inventory of every drawer and cabinet in the house. I spice things up by moving items from one place to another. Keeps things interesting, if you want to know my take on it. And to think Daddy is trying to keep the house clean for his parent's visit in January. Ha!

Here is how our family Christmas craft project turned out. Super cute, I think!

Back to the crime scene investigation.....

And I found it. The pencil- super sharp and not meant for me. Check!

And promptly threw a fit when Mommy took my prize possession away.

And continued my fit of dispair when my initial efforts yielded little empathy.

I was quickly wooed with a walk in Mayberry. Life's lookin' up!
When it's just us, I'm super independent and happy. Check me out.
Well, come on you slow pokes!
Ah, this Christmas thing was so great, I think I need to let Santa know he and his elves did a great job. I'm going to make sure I'm super good and nice to everyone all year long so I can wake up next Christmas without fearing the dreaded coal. Quite a lofty goal for a toddler entering the terrible twos, but I think I'm up for the task!
Merry Christmas to all and a big hug from me to you for all the love and support you've given me this year. It's been quite a ride and I'm glad to have shared it with you!

Just As Christmas Eve Should Be

Daddy got up super early to pick up my birthday present at Toys R Us that was on hold for us. It's a long story that isn't too exciting and ends with Mommy promising never to participate in the Black Friday frenzy again.

He came back to find us hanging out with Mommy's dear friend and former roommate, Lucinda. She was the coolest person ever. She stayed away from me and let me get comfortable with her before she even talked or looked at me. Her reward at the end of the day? A certified Samantha hug! I even let her pick me up so we could adore Roger together. More on that milestone later....

Lucinda just loved me, but then again who doesn't? We played lots and lots of chicken dance Elmo. I danced the chicken dance, a lot. Enough said!

Lucinda laughed when I refused to give Mommy kisses. I refuse kisses so much that it's become a family joke. I'm not kidding!

When it was time for sleep sleep, Mommy and Lucinda ditched me for a big girl's lunch out. When they came back I was well rested and we all went down in the basement only to find the surprise of my life. Apparently, we are continuing the tradition of one family present on Christmas Eve. And this one is a doozy. A bouncy house of my very own. This is seriously amazing! Mommy, Daddy, Lucinda and I had an absolute blast. I sure wish Lucinda didn't live so far away. Even when I go to California to visit with Daddy's family it's still super far from the elusive 'Bay Area'. Though I did hear talk about a special trip to visit the Bay Area for more Lucinda time. Yay!

Enough jabbering, welcome to my very own bouncy house!

Only those wanting to have lots and lots of fun can enter!
I plum wore myself out and Mommy thought I was going to be a mess visiting with Santa later tonight, but I powered through like a champ. After dinner it was Christmas Eve, part 2!

Over to Bridget's house for Christmas Eve with Santa. We all knew how it was going to go and I exceeded expectations all around. Did I scream when placed in Santa's lap? Absolutely. Did I let a girl I don't know pick me up? Absolutely. Did I panic when another kiddo climbed in Mommy's lap? Nope. I rock all around!

Here I am getting warmed up to the mass of super nice people swarming around the tasty food. I threw on a pathetic face and pigs in a blanket magically appeared before me. Yay for working the crowd!

No time picture posing, Mommy. Someone might snag my tasty treats- these things are super addictive!

Huge milestone alert- a super nice girl I've never met just reached down and scooped me off the floor and right into her lap. I was so surprised I didn't even know how to react, and then I realized I liked being social. What a weird, yet cool feeling!

And we break from the festivities to pose for a Daddy and me moment. I'm still thinking about how to score more pigs in a blanket....

Santa comes to Bridget's house every Christmas Eve. Mommy and Daddy have been part of the festivities since before I was born. (Really, there was life before me?) and are excited to have me join in the tradition. Of course, I'm not as comfortable with men in red suits as the other kids. I just might need another year or two before really understanding that this is the man with the toy connections. So, sit back and watch a short video on everyone else paying close attention to Santa while I do everything but.


And the big moment was upon us before I realized what was happening. Yeppers, my time with Santa.

Went better than expected!

And then got worse....

I calmed down the second I was back in Mommy's arms. Daddy further distracted me by handing me a gift from Bridget and family.

And I promptly fell in love with the dolly, stroller, noise making combination. Thanks!

Daddy got such a kick out of watching me walk around with cream cheese bread. Apparently I take after Mommy and make messes wherever I go. Thank goodness Torrie followed me around to 'clean up' my crumbs. She's my hero and Hansel and Gretel's worse nightmare!

Here I am wandering with food in hand.

And my faithful follower cleaning up after me!

The biggest breakthrough of the evening for Bridget's Mommy? She got Samantha lovin' for the first time in my entire 17 month life! It's a new 'outgoing, carefree' me and I'm lovin' it!

Lopsided Love

Mommy picked me up early today so we could get a head start on the long Christmas weekend. Boy, did we kick it off right. We went to kiddie heaven. Yep, that's right folks. The place to be is Yankee Candle. Lots and lots of little glass/breakable trinkets stupidly placed at super low levels. Just right to run up and down the perimeter of the store with my outstretched hand briskly grazing each item. The store manager loved me, a lot.....

When we got back home I went right to the tree and fixed the placement of the ornaments. I did a great job of fixing the white ornament, which was hanging onto its branch ever so wrong.





Yep, this is the one.

Hmm, the hook fell off. Wonder how that happened. I think I can fix it myself.

How did Mommy feel about these improvements? Some things are best left to the impartial party in the room to describe how such activities go. Roll the videotape, please!

As we were taking care of the tree, we thought we heard a noise outside. Since Roger was in the sunroom, Daddy went out to investigate. Good thing he did because there were four boxes being delivered! Thank goodness Mommy is a child and can't wait to open presents because one of them was for me and Mommy let me break into it early.

It was a foam floor puzzle of the alphabet and numbers. This is so cool. I found the most important letter right away!

And then helped Daddy push the puzzle pieces together. I'm such a great helper!
This picture serves no purpose other than invoking the feeling of wanting to reach out and pinch my cheeks!


And then I posed for a moment to take a serious shot. Even all serious I'm still a cutie!

And I leave you with a video that sums up my entire relationship with Mufasa.

Potty Time

Turns into party time when Samantha is in the house. We finally broke out the potty and I'm a big fan of hanging out in it. Yes, you read that right. I try to stand in the potty. I'm all about tricking Mommy into thinking I'm ready for the potty by saying yes when she asks if I want to use the potty. I nod so enthusiastically and say yes that she's fooled once again. Yay me!

Oh, went to Dr. M today and got the all clear for ears and pneumonia. I'm one healthy chick-a-dee!

Then we went to the quack who said I had to be taken out of daycare or I'd keep getting ear infections. You can imagine how happy we were to wait over an hour and pay our co-pay to hear this nonsense. You can also imagine how quickly Mommy called Dr. M to complain about this totally unrealistic assessment of avoiding AOM- medical speak for ear infections. I don't know who fears being stuck home all day, me or Mommy. She'd drive me nuts!

Samantha Baker- Fifteen Candles Shy Of A Movie

I interrupt this blog posting to take a moment to reflect on the huge snow storm that altered the weekend of all those living on the east coast. For those who called my daddy a sissy for not shoveling our driveway, may you be forced to change my next stinky diaper.
After a morning of outside 'fun' it was time to hunker down and get serious baking. Of course, that means a hot date with Purell first!

And taste testing the goods.

Mommy was a little nervous about the whole raw eggs thing, so she swapped out raw cookie dough with club cracker sticks. Hey, it's all the same in my belly.

While the cookies were baking, we took a moment to reflect on all that is right with the world.

And then did my best to will Daddy inside. He was kindly fixing the mailbox that the plow guy sacrificed while making our rural road safe for all out of control drivers.

Once the cookies finished baking and cooling, it was time to taste test them to determine if they were worthy of decorating.

They were....

Uh-oh. (My new favorite word!) Me thinks I got a little over zealous in the decorating department.

All in all it was a super great weekend filled with family time and fun. I can't wait until this weekend to spend even more time with Mommy and Daddy and unwrap all the cool looking boxes under the Christmas tree!

Mother Nature Vs Riding Lawn Mowers

Glorious snow as far as the eyes can see, as seen from our front door. Ever since the 26 acres of corn was cut down Thanksgiving week, it has become increasingly obvious that we are isolated from crowds.

Here's part of our backyard with part of the detached garage to boot.

And what post would be complete without our favorite outdoor cat, Roger? Seriously, he is the most friendly cat I've ever met. I don't care what the neighbor says about Roger's ability to hunt down small animals.

Since the snow looked so beautiful, I decided to throw on the snow gear, pause for a photo....

Or two, and then head right outside to see what all the fuss is about. Clearly I still don't understand why people like this snow. It's cold and wet.

Why am I still out here?

Ah, the safe serenity of the riding lawn mower. Peace is restored!

This baby was meant for John Deere. Wonder if they are looking for a spokesbaby?

This would be so much easier without these darned mittens!

After I was sufficiently chilled to the bone we headed back inside and hung out on the stoop while we stripped down all the wet clothing.

Thank goodness it's nap time and then we're planning to decorate Christmas cookies.